The $15.6 million Tarawera High School's modern new facilities, including 33 new teaching spaces, a performing arts theatre and a hospitality suite, is officially open.

Education Minister Hekia Parata opened the new facilities on Friday, completing the transformation of the former Kawerau Intermediate and Kawerau college into a single educational facility, and replaces the leaking 50 year old buildings of the former college.

Tarawera High School new facilities officially opened. Photo: supplied.

The school will cater for more than 500 year 7-13 students.

'This is excellent news and represents a great opportunity for modern learning. I'm impressed with the sustainable elements as well as the learning spaces,” says the Minister. 'It's also nice to hear the positive feedback from the school and community on these new classrooms and facilities.”

Stage one was completed last year and included the new administration and learning space, hospitality block and theatre. Stage two, delivering the remainder of the classrooms and technology block, was handed over to the school this month.

'The innovative teaching and learning spaces will ensure students are well supported to thrive in the future,” says Hekia.

Tarawera High School was built to ensure it was closely connected to the Kawerau town centre and features a number of environmentally sustainable elements including large covered areas, special heating and ventilation systems, rainwater harvesting and solar panels to generate electricity.

Tarawera High School has both junior and senior sections, which have distinct identities but share specialist facilities and teaching expertise.

Junior High focuses on educating emerging adolescents of 10-13 years who are provided with quality, student-centred inquiry programmes, delivered primarily by home-room teachers and supported by specialists.

Senior High students age 14-17-years focus on gaining qualifications catering for individual vocational pathways ensuring all students leave us to further education, training or employment.